Pictured above: Award winners celebrate their success
at the annual dinner of the Institute of Asian Businesses at the
International Convention Centre in Birmingham, sponsored by Grant
Thornton UK LLP
Key Stages On Line (KSOL.CO.UK), the Midlands' largest provider
of online and centre-based education, won the accolade of
Outstanding Business of the Year at the Institute of Asian
Businesses annual dinner at the international convention
centre.
Sponsored by leading business and financial advisers Grant
Thornton, over 500 people attended the event where many Asian
businesses won awards.
Outstanding Business Person of the Year went to Piali Ray, of
Sampad, an agency for the development of South Asian Arts. Two
restaurants picked up the remaining awards. Itihaas, through its
owner Raj Rana, won Outstanding Innovation of the Year while Jabbar
Khan won the category for the Outstanding Student/Young
Entrepreneur of the Year award.
The principal speaker was author, Preethi Nair who spoke of the
many adversities she faced in order to follow her dream of becoming
a writer.
Eric Williams, Birmingham Head of Tax and National Head of
Private Client at Grant Thornton, said: "West Midlands' Asian
businesses have undoubtedly come of age. From the seeds sown by
pioneering entrepreneurs over 40 years ago, a dynamic, substantial
and important business sector has developed, which can compete with
any in the region, the UK and wider, and who will in my view be key
to the anticipated recovery for West Midlands private businesses.
"Our region has benefited enormously from the energy, influence
and vibrancy exemplified in these award winners and I am sure they
and others like them will deliver even more success as we move out
of recession and into recovery."
Chairman of the Institute of Asian Businesses, Arun Bajaj said:"
Winners were individuals and companies whose skill, ambition,
enthusiasm and sheer hard work have enabled them to excel in their
business pursuits. The awards are the ideal opportunity for these
qualities to be recognised."